One Piece: Rising to Power as a Warlord of the Sea

On Savage Beast Island, Natsu stood up after a hearty meal, stretching his body while gazing toward the East Blue with a sense of purpose. After some time, he made a decision: it was time to set sail.

Although the Revolutionary Army was considered the World Government's and Celestial Dragons' greatest enemy, it was still too weak. In terms of both elite fighters and military power, it was no match. Engaging in direct combat was out of the question.

After weighing his options, Natsu decided that becoming a Warlord might be a wise choice—a position that offered recognition from the Navy and the World Government on the surface while allowing him to continue being a formidable pirate in the New World. In a way, he would be one of the smartest players in the game, able to live freely.

More importantly, with this title, Natsu could achieve his grand ambitions and create a hidden base for the Revolutionary Army. He had it all planned out.

"You two, train hard. I'll come back to pick you up when the time is right," Natsu said gently, looking at Kene and Shiro with a warm smile. The New World was too dangerous for them, and they needed to grow stronger before they could join him.

With reluctant glances from his beast companions, Natsu and Kumo boarded a luxurious, colossal ship known as the Smile. This ship, which he had won in a lottery, could sail, fly, and dive, boasting all sorts of incredible features.

…

On Baltigo Island, Natsu stood side by side with Dragon.

"Are you really going to sea?" Dragon asked.

"Yes, I want to see this vast world with my own eyes," Natsu replied.

"Then go! If this is your choice, what reason could stop a man from setting sail?" Dragon looked at Natsu intently. From the beginning, he had sensed something unique about his son—his peaceful ideals ahead of his time, his unconventional ways, and his astonishing growth in strength. Even Dragon himself had yet to see the full extent of Natsu's power.

"Heh, off I go, father. I'll check on that rascal Luffy for you," Natsu said, giving a wave as he leaped onto the prow of the Smile and sailed toward the endless sea. His adventure had begun.

"Father?!" Dragon was momentarily taken aback; it was the third time in fifteen years Natsu had called him that. He'd first said it when Dragon took him from Windmill Village: "Father? Σ(っ°Д°;)っ." The second was during his first mission with the Revolutionary Army: "Father!" But this time, there was unmistakable warmth—real affection.

"Wow, boss, is this the sea? You can't see the end!" Kumo, who had never sailed before, bounced around with excitement.

"Stay calm—there's much more excitement ahead," Natsu replied with a smile. "Smile! Start navigation! Destination: Windmill Village, Goa Kingdom!"

"Beep, beep! Smile Map at your service, locating destination... Ready to depart. Distance: *** miles, estimated travel time: 15 days!"

…

In Marineford, the Navy Headquarters:

"Baa~"

"Garp, what do you think of the World Government's proposal regarding the Revolutionary Army?" Sengoku asked, holding a classified report, which he handed to the bell-wearing lamb to destroy.

"What do I think?" Garp casually picked his nose and flicked it. "I'm sitting and thinking—crunch, crunch!" he replied as he munched on a donut.

"Don't forget, Garp, the Revolutionary Army leader Dragon is your son! If it weren't for your reputation as a naval hero, the Five Elders would have already held you accountable!"

"Tch! (*￣rǒ￣)"

"Ugh, you fool!" Sengoku sighed, then strode over, snatched the donut from Garp's hand, and ate it himself.

"Oh, my donut!" Garp looked on in horror as his precious snack disappeared. Sengoku's words, though, had unsettled Garp; his son, Dragon, had ignored his guidance to become the Revolutionary Army's leader, labeled the world's most dangerous criminal by the World Government. Worse, Dragon had taken Natsu with him. And now his grandson Luffy wanted to be a pirate and chase the One Piece treasure, thanks to that red-haired scoundrel, Shanks.

Garp clenched his fists in regret—maybe he should visit home more often to keep an eye on Luffy and prevent him from sneaking off.

Meanwhile, on the open sea, Natsu and Kumo had been sailing for twelve days. Thanks to the intelligent navigation system, they hadn't encountered a single ship. Kumo was visibly bored.

"Boss, didn't you say sailing was supposed to be exciting? Why haven't we seen anyone?" Kumo grumbled.

"Stay calm! In a few days, we'll reach my hometown. You'll meet all sorts of interesting people then."

"Oh! Boss, look, there's a ship coming!" Kumo shouted, pointing ahead. A black pirate ship, waving its flag, was speeding toward the Smile.

"Yahaha! Boys, see that ship? Attack and take all the treasure!" A burly, black-haired man with a spiked club bellowed from the pirate ship. Though he had failed in the Grand Line, he still considered himself a fearsome force in the East Blue. He was Bartlow the Black Gorilla, a user of the Black Ape Zoan Devil Fruit with a 15 million Beri bounty.

"Prepare for battle, Kumo!" Natsu's eyes narrowed as he looked at the approaching pirates with an eager smile. From a young age, Natsu had always believed in "reasoning" with his fists.

"Consecutive Normal Punches!"

In an instant, Natsu's fists blurred into countless afterimages, striking the pirates in a powerful barrage. Within moments, the once-formidable pirates were thrown overboard, their ship devastated. This was Natsu holding back; had he unleashed his full power, the sea would have run red with blood.